Moving to Prince George, BC
Northern BC’s biggest city: 85,944 people where the Fraser and Nechako rivers meet, with big-city services, small-city prices and real winters. Here is how the city is doing, what it costs to live here, and what to sort out when you arrive. Every number names its source.
At a glance
Population, July 2025
85,944
+6.5% in 5 years (1.3% a year)
Statistics Canada 17-10-0155
Median age
38.8
BC: 42.8. Younger than BC as a whole
2021 Census
Median household income
$88,000
BC: $85,000 (2020 incomes)
2021 Census
Unemployment, September 2026
6.2%
BC: 6.7%. Cariboo region, 3-month average
Statistics Canada LFS
Average 2-bedroom rent, Oct 2025
$1,422/mo
Vacancy 4.4%. 1-bedroom $1,214
CMHC Rental Market Survey
Typical assessed house value
$459,000
Average sale $537,028 in 2025
BC Assessment 2026 roll; BCNREB
Property tax on that house, 2026
$3,688
$4,458 before the basic home owner grant
City tax rates; BC home owner grant
Housing starts, 2025
422
10-year average 418. 663 net new homes since Aug 2024
CMHC via StatCan; City
How the city is doing
After a flat decade in the 2000s, Prince George has grown every year but one since 2012, adding 9,496 people in ten years. Census counts grew 3.7% from 2016 to 2021, about half BC’s 7.6%; the annual estimates since show growth speeding up.
Population, 2001 to 2025
Source: Statistics Canada, table 17-10-0155, Population estimates, July 1, by census subdivision, 2021 boundaries, as of July 1, 2025. Report a data problem
Compared with BC
- Growth 2016–21
- 3.7%
- BC 7.6%
- Median age
- 38.8
- BC 42.8
- Median individual income
- $44,800
- BC $40,800
- Low income (LIM-AT)
- 9.0%
- BC 10.8%
- Participation rate
- 66.3%
- BC 63.3%
- Unemployment, September 2026
- 6.2%
- BC 6.7%
Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census and Labour Force Survey (Cariboo region), as of September 2026. Report a data problem
Cost of living
Housing is where Prince George saves you the most compared with the south of the province. Budget for heating, winter tires and driving: winters are long and distances are big.
Estimate your own monthly costs
Rent, 1 / 2 bedroom
$1,214 / $1,422
CMHC average, October 2025. Asking rents for vacant units run higher
Average detached house sale
$537,028
BC Northern Real Estate Board, 2025
Property tax, typical house
$3,688/yr
$459,000 × 9.7125 per $1,000 = $4,458, less the $770 grant. 2026 rates
City water, sewer and garbage
$1,573/yr
Single-family flat rate, medium cart, 2026
BC Hydro, 675 kWh in about 30 days
$87.25/mo
23.44¢/day + 11.87¢/kWh step 1, before GST. Electric heat uses far more
Natural gas (FortisBC)
- Basic charge, per day$0.4216
- Delivery charge, per GJ$8.469
- Storage and transport charge, per GJ$2.472
- Cost of gas, per GJ$1.660
FortisBC's example bill for 8 GJ in a 31-day month is $113.88 before other fees and taxes.
FortisBC, effective July 1, 2026
Bus fares
- Single ride (adult, senior or youth)$2.75
- DayPASS$5.50
- 30-day adult pass (19-64)$65
- 30-day concession pass (seniors 65+, youth 13-18)$55
BC Transit, 2026-09-30
Child care
6 $10 a Day centres in Prince George with 458 spaces; full-time care there costs no more than $200 a month. Other licensed centres cut fees through the Province's fee reduction, and the Affordable Child Care Benefit helps households earning up to $111,000.
Province of BC, centre list April 16, 2026
Car insurance
ICBC Basic Autoplan is required for every vehicle in BC. It includes $200,000 in third-party liability, up to $200,000 in Basic Vehicle Damage Coverage, and Enhanced Accident Benefits with no overall limit on care and recovery. ICBC credits up to 15 years of non-BC driving experience toward Basic discounts. You need a driver's abstract or letter of experience from the authority that issued your first full licence.
ICBC. Premiums depend on your record and vehicle; ask a broker for a quote
Wages and sales tax
- BC minimum wage: $18.25 an hour since June 1, 2026 (was $17.85 from June 1, 2025)
- Provincial sales tax (PST): Generally 7% on the purchase or lease price of goods and services, with some exceptions
- GST: 5% in British Columbia (no HST)
Sources: CMHC via Statistics Canada; BC Northern Real Estate Board; BC Assessment; BC Hydro tiered rate (September 30, 2026); City of Prince George tax and utility rates (see the taxes dashboard).
Climate at a glance
Honestly: winter is long. Snow lies on the ground from about December through March (around 24 cm deep at its peak), January afternoons average -3.9°C, and on about 17 days a year it drops below −20°C. Summers make up for it: long, warm days with July highs around 22.6°C, and June is the wettest month. Some summers bring wildfire smoke.
22.6°C
July average high
-11.7°C
January average low
204 cm
Snowfall a year
16.7
Days below −20°C
74.9
Days above 20°C
107 days
Frost-free season
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Climate Normals 1991–2020, Prince George Airport. Report a data problem
Month-by-month normals and records · Air quality and smoke · Snow clearing and winter parking
Politics at a glance
Prince George leans more conservative than BC as a whole: all 3 local MLAs elected in 2024 and both MPs are Conservatives, while the province is governed by the NDP. City council is non-partisan.
Prince George · City Council
Mayor Simon Yu
Non-partisan
General voting day is Saturday, October 17, 2026. The new council is sworn in November 2.
City of Prince George council membersBritish Columbia · Legislative Assembly (dissolved)
Premier David Eby
BC NDP
Final voting day is Saturday, October 24, 2026.
Legislative Assembly of BC party standingsCanada · House of Commons
Prime Minister Mark Carney
Liberal
No federal election is scheduled before October 2029.
House of Commons party standingsLheidli T'enneh First Nation · Chief and Council
Chief Dolleen Logan
A chief and eight councillors, elected April 9, 2025 for a two-year term.
Lheidli T'enneh Chief and CouncilFrom our civic data, updated September 30, 2026. Council, MLAs, MPs and results
Jobs and top employers
Prince George is the service, health, education and government centre for northern BC, and still a forestry and industrial town. Health care and social assistance is the largest industry by employment.
- Facilitator (Temporary) - Prince George - 2026.180 (opens WorkBC Job Board in a new tab)
Community Living BC · Posted Oct 16 · Temporary · $78,114–$80,425/yr
- Plumbing & Electrical Sales Associate: Part Time - PRINCE GEORGE (opens WorkBC Job Board in a new tab)
The Home Depot · Posted Oct 16 · Part time · $39,312–$41,392/yr
- Receiving Associate: Part Time (Mon-Fri 6PM Starts) (opens WorkBC Job Board in a new tab)
The Home Depot · Posted Oct 16 · Part time · $42,432–$46,072/yr
- Referral Clerk - BC Cancer (opens WorkBC Job Board in a new tab)
Providence Healthcare · Posted Oct 16 · $45,614/yr
- Delivery Driver (opens WorkBC Job Board in a new tab)
Lordco Auto Parts · Posted Oct 16 · Full time · $37,960/yr
Job listings are loading or unavailable right now. Check the jobs page.
British Columbia
- Health care and social assistance15.4% 6,205
- Retail trade12.2% 4,920
- Construction8.6% 3,475
- Educational services7.9% 3,185
- Manufacturing7.6% 3,045
- Accommodation and food services7.4% 2,965
- Public administration6.6% 2,670
- Transportation and warehousing6.2% 2,505
Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census Profile (25% sample), as of May 2021. Report a data problem
Largest employers
400 or more employees
- Northern Health Authority · Health care
- School District No. 57 · Education
- Government of British Columbia · Public administration
- University of Northern British Columbia · Education
- College of New Caledonia · Education
- Canfor Pulp · Pulp and paper
- Canfor Wood Products · Forestry
- TELUS · Telecommunications
- Save-On-Foods · Retail
- Government of Canada · Public administration
- City of Prince George · Public administration
100 to 400 employees
- BC Hydro
- FortisBC (gas)
- Home Depot
- Walmart
- Costco
- Real Canadian Superstore
- Sinclar Group of Companies
- BID Group of Companies
- Canada Post
- Carrier Lumber
- AiMHi
- Centerra Gold
- Canadian National Railway (CN)
- Wood Wheaton GM
- Treasure Cove Casino and Hotel
- McDonald's
Northern Health Authority: More than 8,200 people work for Northern Health across northern BC, about 3,800 full-time equivalent positions; head office is in Prince George
School District No. 57: Employs more than 1,800 teachers and support staff
Source: City of Prince George, Economic Development: Workforce page (major employers in and around Prince George); size bands only, archived copy, as of January 14, 2026. Report a data problem
Business landscape
- Professional services13.8% 344
- Home & trades13.7% 341
- Health & wellness12.5% 311
- Industry & resources10.9% 271
- Shopping10.3% 255
- Food & drink8.7% 215
- Family & education6.0% 150
- Other businesses5.9% 146
- Automotive5.8% 144
- Beauty & personal care4.2% 105
- Community & nonprofit3.3% 82
- Arts & recreation2.9% 72
- Stay & travel1.9% 48
Source: PG Pulse business directory, built from City of Prince George business licences, updated October 15, 2026. Browse the directory
Business licences in force
3,391
Home businesses
731
Out-of-town firms
490
Source: City of Prince George open data, business licences, October 15, 2026. The open data shows current licences only, so a trend in new licences can’t be derived from it.
Business licence feesInvestment and land
Prince George sits where Highways 16 and 97 cross, on CN’s main line to the Port of Prince Rupert, with one of Canada’s longest airport runways. The City’s economic development office publishes land, incentive and workforce information for investors.
Invest Prince George (City economic development)
The City's economic development team runs Invest Prince George: a resource library with the 2026 Business Investment Guide, 2026 Community Profile, sector profiles, industrial land profiles, an industrial permitting guide and a workforce data toolkit. Contact 250-561-7633.
City of Prince George, Invest Prince George, 2026-09-30
2026 Economic Development Strategy
The City's current strategy for economic growth, diversification and investment, aligned with the 2023-26 Council strategic plan.
City of Prince George, 2026-07
Downtown Revitalization Tax Exemption (closed)
The downtown program gave 10-year municipal tax exemptions for eligible commercial and multi-family development downtown. The City says it was discontinued on September 30, 2024; projects had to be approved and completed by that date.
City of Prince George, Incentives page (archived 2026-03-16; page since removed), 2026-03-16
Multi-Family Housing Incentive Bylaw No. 8679, 2015
Revitalization tax exemption for multi-family housing in growth areas: 100% of the municipal tax on residential improvements for 10 years in primary growth areas and 5 years in secondary growth areas, plus DCC reductions. The consolidated bylaw (revised September 17, 2018) accepts applications only until 5 years after adoption (adopted December 14, 2015) or until $75 million in assessed improvements, whichever comes first.
City of Prince George, consolidated bylaw, 2018-09-17
Downtown façade improvement grant
Downtown Prince George (the business improvement area), with Northern Development Initiative Trust, offers a one-time 25% reimbursement grant up to $5,000 per building or project in the C1 zone.
City of Prince George, Business Investment Guide (2025 statistics), 2026
Development cost charges
Prince George has four DCC areas. Multi-family is $2,295 per unit in Area A, $4,283 in Area B, $2,295 in Area C (includes the airport lands) and $229 in Area D (downtown central business district). Industrial is $53,250, $98,483, $51,448 and $5,282 per hectare respectively. Rates are as of the guide's publication.
City of Prince George, Business Investment Guide (2025 statistics), 2026
Housing Action Strategy
The City's first Housing Action Strategy looks at financial and non-financial incentives for housing. Staff are exploring non-financial ones such as zoning reform, pre-approved housing designs and faster approvals.
City of Prince George, 2026-09-30
Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 9525, 2025
The new OCP replaces OCP Bylaw No. 8383, 2012. It was reviewed from fall 2023 to fall 2025 with three rounds of engagement, and has a vision to 2050.
City of Prince George, 2026-09-30
City-owned land for sale
When checked, the City listed no City-owned commercial, industrial, residential or development lots for sale. Land inquiries go through its land purchase inquiry form, and private listings are on SpaceList.
City of Prince George, 2026-09-30
Industrial areas
The City counts 9 industrial areas with 5,500 acres of developed and undeveloped land. They include the BCR Industrial Area (1,800 acres), the Prince George Global Logistics Park (2,125 acres, next to the airport), Danson (533), CNR (531), Carter (234), Hartway (143), Nechako (71), Queensway (56) and Kenworth (22). Private parcels are available to buy or lease.
City of Prince George, Light Industrial Lands profile, 2026
Prince George Airport lands
The City's light industrial profile lists 1,214 ha (3,000 acres) available for development on airside and adjacent airport lands, next to the Global Logistics Park.
City of Prince George, Light Industrial Lands profile, 2026
Foreign Trade Zone point
In February 2018 the Government of Canada designated Prince George a Foreign Trade Zone point: a single point of access for programs that relieve duties, tariffs and taxes on goods for re-export.
Western Economic Diversification Canada news release, 2018-02-23
Northern Development Initiative Trust
The Competitiveness Consulting Rebate covers up to 50% of consultant costs to a yearly maximum of $30,000. The Northern Industries Innovation Fund covers 50% of a project up to $50,000, and the applicant contributes at least 10%.
City of Prince George, Business Investment Guide (2025 statistics), 2026
Prince George Airport (YXS)
443,366 passengers in 2025. Runway: 11,450 ft, the fifth-longest runway in Canada (per the City's 2026 Community Profile). Air Canada: Vancouver; WestJet: Vancouver, Calgary, Puerto Vallarta (seasonal); Pacific Coastal Airlines: Victoria, Kelowna; Central Mountain Air: Terrace/Kitimat, Fort Nelson, Kelowna, Calgary, Edmonton.
Prince George Airport Authority, February 18, 2026
Land and resources dashboard
Forests and allowable cut, mines, dams and generating stations, farmland.
Housing target and new builds
663 of 1,803 net new homes in the provincial target delivered since August 2024.
Schools and post-secondary
School District No. 57 (Prince George)
13,440 students (total headcount, September 2024) in 43 active public schools
2024-09-30
School District No. 57 (Prince George)
Employs more than 1,800 teachers and support staff; 32 elementary schools, 8 secondary schools and 1 Centre for Learning Alternatives
2026
Conseil scolaire francophone (SD 93)
1,135 students in the francophone program in Prince George, K-12 (Ecole Franco-Nord for K-7, Duchess Park for 8-12)
2026
University of Northern British Columbia
3,819 students in academic programs in 2023/24: 3,060 undergraduate and 763 graduate; 22% international
2023/24
College of New Caledonia
Average annual enrolment of about 5,000 students across the college region (SD 28, 57 and 91)
2026-09-30
College of New Caledonia
8,700 students enrolled across 6 regional campuses in 2024, including more than 1,400 international students
2024
Northern Medical Program
UBC's MD program run with UNBC admits 40 students a year. They do all four years in Prince George at UNBC and the University Hospital of Northern BC.
2026-09-30
Health care
Prince George is northern BC’s medical hub: University Hospital of Northern BC runs the region’s main emergency department and specialist services. Like much of BC, finding a family doctor takes time, so register early.
Free emergency dental clinic
PGNFC emergency dental outreach clinic
1600 3rd Ave, Prince George, BC V2L 3G6
2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month; doors 3 p.m., clinic starts 6 p.m.
PGNFC: Emergency ResourcesPeer-run overdose prevention site and drug checking
The POUNDS Project
1126 3rd Ave, Prince George, BC V2L 3E5
OPS and drop-in Tue–Sat 8 a.m.–1 p.m. and Tue–Fri 5–9 p.m.; drug checking Tue–Sat 12–4 p.m.
The POUNDS Project: ContactNo family doctor yet?
Health Connect Registry
To get on the list for a family doctor or nurse practitioner, register online (it takes under five minutes) with your Personal Health Number and home address, or call 8-1-1 (interpreters available). The local team contacts you when a provider becomes available.
HealthLink BC
New to BC
Enrol in MSP
New residents wait the balance of the month they establish residence, plus two months, before MSP coverage starts. Apply as soon as you arrive.
Province of BC
Health care guide · Hospital, pharmacies and clinics map (15 pharmacies)
Key services for new residents
Utilities
City water, sewer and garbage; BC Hydro electricity; FortisBC natural gas.
Garbage day
Type your address for your next pickups and add them to your calendar.
Recycling and the landfill
21 depots, bottle returns and drop-offs with hours and fees.
Getting around
Buses and fares, the airport, trains, roads and EV charging.
Driver’s licence and ICBC
Switch to a BC licence within 90 days of moving here.
MSP and your BC Services Card
Health coverage and your provincial ID.
Library card
Free for city residents at 2 branches.
Public services
Service BC, Service Canada, ICBC, courts, clinics and more, with hours and what’s open now.
Emergency numbers, urgent care and live alerts · All public services
Where to live
Compare the city’s neighbourhoods on a map, from downtown and the Bowl to College Heights and the Hart.
Neighbourhoods explorerSafety
Crime is a real issue here. Prince George’s crime severity index was 194 in 2025, about 2.1 times the BC figure of 92, and higher than 142 in 2015. The index weighs crimes by seriousness; our safety dashboard maps reported property crime by neighbourhood from City open data.
Statistics Canada table 35-10-0063Crime map and trendsYour first 30 days
Tick things off as you go; your ticks stay on this device. New to Canada or a student? Newcomers and students has each step with the local office and its hours.
Before you arrive
Week 1
Week 2
Weeks 3 and 4
The full step-by-step version is in our new resident checklist.
Sources
- Statistics Canada, population estimates July 1, 2025
- Statistics Canada, 2021 Census Profile
- Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey September 2026
- CMHC Rental Market Survey October 2025
- BC Assessment, 2026 roll
- BC Northern Real Estate Board
- CMHC housing starts via Statistics Canada August 2026
- ECCC Canadian Climate Normals 1991–2020
- Statistics Canada, crime severity index 2025
- BC Hydro residential rates
- City tax rates, utility rates and the home owner grant
- City of Prince George, Economic Development: Workforce page (major employers in and around Prince George)
- BC Transit, Prince George fares
- FortisBC rates
